Species from the Aceraceae family, originating from Japan.
It is a deciduous tree, with five lobes (palmatum), of yellow/orange color, which fades in the summer and intensifies again when the leaves fall.
The Acer Palmatum Katsura Bonsai is an outdoor plant.
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Scientific Name: Acer Palmatum
Description: Member of the Aceraceae family, it originates from Japan.
Deciduous tree, with five lobes (palmatum), it is perhaps the most well-known and appreciated deciduous tree in Bonsai.
There are many varieties used for Bonsai, with the most different colors and leaf sizes. The best known and appreciated is the "Deshojo", for its red tone at budding, which turns greenish in summer and returns to red tones at leaf fall.
Also, the "Yatsubusa" varieties (Palmatum Kashima or Kihoime) are highly valued for the small size of their leaves and short internodes, which produce quite compact plants, usually created in the Hokidashi style (round crown), as they have no apical dominance, thus their energy is more balanced.
Location: Outdoors, where it receives 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day (ideally in the morning or late afternoon), protected from strong winds and frosts.
It is very hardy, but it is common in mid-summer for the leaves to show sunburn, so they should be protected from the strong midday sun throughout almost the entire summer season.
Watering: Water the soil abundantly until plenty of water runs out of the drainage holes, to evenly moisten the soil, always from above, never by immersion, using a watering can with fine holes.
Tips about watering, see the watering technical sheet.
Allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between each watering (to check if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers), but be aware that water consumption increases greatly in spring when there is a lot of new foliage.
If you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to prevent the roots from rotting).
There is no benefit in misting the leaves, only do it on days when you fertilize and if the fertilizer is for foliar application, but make sure the leaves are dry by night to avoid fungi.
Nutrition: From February to September/October, with a basic plan composed of a complete fertilizer (Fertil Bonsai Humic, or Green & Gold Bonsai Organic or Biogold), and a biostimulant (Bio Bonsai Activ), which can also be combined with other products from our range.
Detailed information on how to combine these products with others in our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, see the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.
Pruning: The leaves tend to grow and the internodes lengthen in some species. Usually, growth must be controlled at the beginning of budding with "Metsumi".
In summer, if healthy, they can be defoliated to produce new leaf buds which, besides being smaller, will have better autumn coloration.
Tips about pruning, see the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.
Repotting: With Terra Bonsai Folhosas in February/March, before budding starts.
Details about repotting, post-repotting care, and specific fortifiers you can use are available in the repotting technical sheet.
Wiring: Usually at the end of winter before budding, or in summer with complete defoliation.
Instructions about wiring, see the wiring technical sheet.
